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Tumwater authorizes eminent domain for X Street roundabout; $6.8M project mostly grant funded
Summary
Council adopted ordinance O2025-015 authorizing condemnation authority for property acquisitions needed to build an X Street roundabout on Capitol Boulevard; staff said the project costs about $6.8 million and has roughly $5.4 million in grant funding, with construction planned 2026–2027 and relocation protections for affected businesses.
The Tumwater City Council voted Dec. 2 to adopt Ordinance O2025-015, authorizing condemnation for property acquisitions needed to build the X Street roundabout as part of the Capitol Boulevard corridor plan.
Brandon, presenting for city staff, said the roundabout project aims to relieve congestion, improve multimodal travel and support corridor revitalization. The total project cost was described as approximately $6,800,000, with about $5,400,000 in grant funding from Thurston Regional Planning Council across multiple grants. Construction is planned to begin in 2026 and finish in 2027, staff said.
Staff described the acquisition approach and emphasized that federal funding programs commonly expect recipients to pursue eminent domain if necessary. Brandon explained the relocation and acquisition protections required by law and city practice: certified appraisals with independent review, negotiation before condemnation, relocation advisory assistance, and payments for reestablishment and reasonable moving costs. He said the city offers allowances that can include attorney-fee assistance and up to $200,000 for reestablishment costs in certain cases.
Staff said most acquisitions for the project are partial (strip) takes affecting frontage and sidewalks; only one business property is listed for full acquisition and will require relocation assistance. Council members pressed staff on business impacts during construction and compensation for lost revenue; staff replied that the city will prioritize maintaining access, coordinating with contractors and providing site reconfiguration quotes where needed but does not compensate for assumed or speculative business losses.
Councilor Jefferson moved adoption of the ordinance and the council approved by voice vote.
Because the ordinance authorizes condemnation, staff reiterated that negotiations will continue and that the city expects to reach agreements with owners in many cases before resorting to formal condemnation.
